Combination vapor condenser, liquid preheater, and deaerator



Aug. 21, 1934. R. E. sKow ET AL COMBINATION VAPOR CONDENSER, LIQUID PREHEATER, AND DEAERATOR Filed Dec. 27. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 S m T m V m Rosgs E. Skew Baflou. HeY 1 old LMCL auqhhn W I ATTORNEY.

Aug. 21, 1934. R. E. sKow El AL COMBINATION VAPOR CONDENSER, LIQUID PREHEATER, AND DEAERATOR Filed Dec. 27,1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 igzZ.

INVENTORS Ros s E. Skow Vn'g Ball on BY H er roki L. MCL aughlxn 2 I ATTORNEY.

Aug. 21, 1934. R. E. 'SKOW El AL COMBINATION VAPOR CONDENSER, LIQUID PREHEATER, AND DEAERATOR Filed Dec. 27. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 L T. W3 0 N N a R E .L O W e n 1 m A w OHM k o .2 E038 H m 0 R Patented Aug. 21, 1934 UNITED STATES COMBINATION VAPOR CONDENSER, LIQUID PBEHEATEB, AND DEAERATOB 7 Ross E. Show, Virg Baliou, and IIerrold L. Mc-

Laughlin, Des Moines, Iowa, assignors to National Pure Water Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa, a corporation oi Iowa Application December 2', 1932, Serial No. 648.952

6Ciaiml.

, This invention relates to an apparatus used in the distilling of liquids and has for its principal objects the successful condensing of the vapor. the removal of undesirable gases from the condensed liquid, and the pre-heating oi the undisess by bringing the vapor in close proximity to the liquid whereby the vapor is condensed and the liquid is pre-heated thereby.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a combination vapor condenser, liquid preheater, and deaerator that is under the control oi! the operator at all times. i

A still further object of this invention is to provide a ineans for removing the obnoxious odors and undesirable gases from the condensate rapidly and economically.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a highly eflicient combination vapor condenser, liquid pre-heater, and deaerator that is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and occupies a minimum amount 01 space relative to its capacity. I

These and other objects'will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Our invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of our complete condenser, preheater, and deaerator with sections cut away to more fully illustrate its various parts.

Fig. 2 is a rear end view of our apparatus with sections cutaway to more fully illustrate the interior construction of the device.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the high temperature vapor coil and pan used in the device for releasing undesirable gases from the condensate.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the two perforated trays positioned below the high temperature vapor coil with sections cut away for illustrative purposes and to conserve space.

Fig. 5 is an end-sectional view of the high temperature vapor coil and supporting tray.

Although condensers such as steam condensers are well known in the art and their wide employtheir chief defect is their inability to save and utilize for useful purposes the valuable heat of the vapor and distilled liquid which is usually lost during the condensing and cooling phase. Furthermore, to obtain a relatively pure distilled liquid it is necessary to eliminate the impure gases and undesirable odors and in--the usual types of condensers this matter is not considered. We have overcome such objections as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art.

Referring to. the drawings, we have used the numeral 10 to designate the vapor condenser and undistilled liquid pro-heater. Inside this housing 10 are two vertical partitions 11 and 12. The numeral 13 designates the central and relatively large compartment formed by the partitions 11 and 12. The numeral 14 designates the forwardend compartment located between the forward end of the housing 10 and the partition 12, as shown in Fig. 1. Asthe partitions 11 and 12 are spaced apart and are also spaced from the two ends of the housing 10 respectively, a

space exists between the rear end of the hous ing 10 and the partition 11. In this space we have a horizontal partition 15, as shown in Fig. 1. By virtue of this partition 15 we have a lower compartment 16 and an upper compartment 17, both located between the partition 11 and the rear end of the housing 10. The numeral 18 designates a plurality of spaced apart pipes, each passing through the central compartment 13 and having their rear ends communicating with the inside of the compartment 16 and their forward ends communicating with the inside of the compartment 14. The numeral 19 also designates a plurality of spaced apart pipes extending though the central compartment 13 and having their forward ends communicating with the inside of the compartment 14 and their rear ends communicating with the inside of the compartment 17. The numeral 20 designates the vapor inlet pi communicating with the inside top oi. the co partment 13. The numeral 21 designates a pipe having one end communicating with the inside bottom of the compartment 16 and its other end designed to be in communication with a source of normal temperature undistilled liquid. The numeral 22 designates a manually operated valve interimposed in the pipe 21. The numeral 23 designates a pipe having one end communicating with the inside top of the compartment 1'7 and its other end terminating at any desirable point where heated undistilled liquid is desired in the process.

The numeral 24 designates the deaerator houswill passfroin the condenser housing to the inside top of the housing-24. If additional distilled liquid is available from othersources than the condenser and it is desired to also aerate the same it may be accomplished by injecting the same into the pipe through the pipe 28. The numeral 27 designates an elongated horizontal pan positioned and supported in the top of the housing 24 by bracket members 28. The numeral 29 designates a pipe designed to be in com-- munication with a source of high temperature vapor such as high pressure steam. This pipe 29 extends into the housing 24 and is arranged in spaced convolutions in the pan 27, as shown in Fig. 3, to form a flash coil. The free end of this pipe 29 extends out of the housing 24 and discharges into the ordinary liquid trap 30, shown in conventional form in Fig. 1. The numeral 31 designates a pipe having one end communicating with the outlet port oi the liquid trap and its other end communicating with the inside of the pipe 25. The numeral 32 designates an elongated horizontal tray member in the upper portion of the housing 24 and supported therein by the brackets 33. This horizontal tray is spaced apart from the pan 2'1, is located just below the pan 27, and has a width greater than the width of the pan 2?, as shown in Fig. 2. The numeral 34 designates small perforations or passageways in the bottom of the tray 32. The numeral 35 designates an elongated horizontal tray positioned in the upper portion of the housing 24 and supported therein by the bracket members 36. This tray 35 is spaced apart from and positioned below the tray 32 and has a width greater than the width of the tray 32.

The numeral 37 designates small perforation or passageways in the bottom of the tray 35. The numeral 38 designates small perforations or passageways in the bottom of the pan 27. The numeral 39 designates a pipe communicating with the inside of the housing 24 at a point some distance from the top of the housing and adjacent the side of the flash coil 29, as shown in Fig. 2, and its other end discharging to the outside atmosphere. The numeral 40 designates a vacuum pump interimposed in the pipe 39. This vacuum pump is actuated by a prime mover 41. The numeral 42 designates a pipe leading from the inside bottom of the housing 24. Interimposed in this pipe 42 is a suction pump 43 shown in conventional form. This pump is actuated by float actuated valve shown in conventional form and interimposed in the pipe 42. This valve 45 is actuated in the well known manner by an ordinary float 46 located inside the housing 24. The numeral 47 designates a temperature gauge for registering the temperature of the warm undistilled liquid leaving the pipe 23. The numeral 48 designates a temperature gauge for registering the temperature of the relatively cool liq.- uid flowing into the compartment 16 through the pipe 21. The numeral 49 designates a temperature gauge for registering the temperature of gases or like flowing out of the housing 24 through the pipe 39. The numeral 50 designates a temperature gauge for registering the temperature of the distilled purified liquid leaving the housing 24 through the pipe 42. The numeral 51 designates a home plate inside the housing 24 and positioned between the entrance opening of the pipe 39 and the flash coil 29, tray 32, and tray 35. This baille plate discourages valuable vapor from passing out of the housing 24 through the pipe 39, but does permit obnoxious odors and undesirable gases which have been liberated from the distilled liquid to circulate around it and pass out of the pipe 39, as such gases and odors are comparatively light.

The practical operation of the device is as i'ollows: The steam or vapor to be condensed enters the compartment 13 through the pipe 20 and engages the pipes 18 and 19 that extend through the compartment 13. The undistilled liquid enters the compartment 16 through the pipe 21. From the compartment 16 this undistilled liquid passes through the pipes 18 to reach the compartment 14. Fromthe compartment 14 the undistilled liquid passes through the pipes 19 and the compartment 17 where it is discharged through the pipe 23. As the undistilled liquid will be at normal temperatures the pipes 18 and 19 will be comparatively cool and by means of heat exchange will so lower the temperature of the vapor in the compartment 13 that it will condense into a liquid in the bottom of the housing 10. As an exchange of heat has taken place the undistilled liquid leaving the pipe 23 will be substantially heated and may be used in the process wherever warm liquid is desired. In most instances at least a portion of this heated undistilled liquid will be piped to the boiler or evaporator used in the distilling process. It will here be noted that the cool undistilled liquid enters the bottom of the housing 10, while the vapor enters the top of the housing. By this arrangement, the temperature of the undistilled liquid leaving the pipe 23 will be similar to the temperature of the vapor entering the housing, while the distilled liquid leaving the housing 10 through the pipe 25 will be similar in temperature to the incoming undistilled liquid entering the compartment 16. The distilled liquid from the compartment 13 will be injected into the housing 24 directly above the flash coil 29 and its pan 27. By virtue of the vacuum pump 40 the inside of the housing 24.will be a partial vacuum or a minus pressure. It will be well here to note that by use of the float 46 and float actuated valve 45 a comparatively large volume of condensate is at all times retained in the housing 24 and the vacuum pump 40 will be operated at all times to subject the liquid in the housing 24 to such pressure as to be just above the corresponding boiling or evaporating point of the liquid in the bottom of the housing 24. Due to the flash coil 29 the distilled liquid in the bottom of the housing 24 will be at a higher temperature than the distilled liquid in the housing 10. As the distilled liquid falls into the housing 24 it will fall onto the flash coil 29, which is arranged in spaced convolutions in the pan 2'7. As this coil or pipe 29 is in communication with vapor or steam of high temperature this liquid entering the housing 24 will be raised in temperature a few degrees above that of the body of liquid in the bottom of the housing 24. This liquid to reach'the bottom of the housing 24 will have to pass through the small passageways in the pan 27, tray 32, and tray 35, which are spaced one below the other, as shown in the drawings. This action will break up the incoming .body of liquid, which has been auxiliarly heated, into small droplets which, due to the flash coil, have a temperature at which they cannot exist for long in such a vacuum intended tor a lower boiling point. Due to this fact and their small size, these droplets will literally break apart or burst, which will cause the liberation of all entrained gases such as tree oxygen, carbolic acid gas, and other gases and undesirable odors. Such gases and odors will be drawn out of the inside of the housing 24 through the pipe 39. The temperature of the condensate in condenser 10 can be controlled at all times by adjusting the speed of fiow of the comparatively cool undistilled liquid through the housing 10. In this connection the manually operated valve 22 is used. As we are working in a comparatively narrow temperature span, the temperature gauges 47, 48, 49, and 50 should be carefully watched.

The liquid gauge 52 will designatethe amount of condensate in the bottom of the housing 24. The gases and odors released from the condensate are prevented from being reabsorbed by the body of liquid in the housing 24, as this body of liquid has a continual tendency to raise its temperature by replenishment. To take care of any vapor that may condense in the flash coil 29 we provide the liquid trap 30 and pipe allliquid obtained by the same directly into the pipe 25 where it may enter the housing 24 as distilled liquid and be purified of undesirable gases- The pump 43 is used to overcome the partial vacuum existing in the housing 24. The pipe 42 will deliver the condensed, purified, and distilled liquid for useful purposes.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of our improved combination vapor condenser, liquid pre-heater, and deaerator without departing from the real spirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a vapor condenser, a housing, a pipe having one end communicating with the space for condensate in said condenser and its other end communicating with the inside top of said housing, a liquid outlet pipe communicating with the inside bottom of said housing, an automatic means for maintaining a substantial volume of purified condensate in the bottom of said housing, a means for producing a semi-vacuum in said housing and drawing undesirable gases from the inside top portion of said housing; said semi-vacuum being of such a degree as to produce a pressure just above the corresponding evaporating point of the body of liquid in the bottom of said housing, a pan inside said housing having a perforated bottom and positioned directly below the discharge end of the said first mentioned pipe, and a heating element in said pan for raising the temperature of the condensate upon its immediate entrance into the top of said housing.

2. In a device of the class described, a vapor condenser, a housing, a pipe having one end communicating with the space for condensate in said condenser and its other end communicating with the inside top of said housing, a liquid outlet pipe communicating with the inside bottom of said housing, an automatic means for maintaining a substantial volume of purified condensate in the bottom of said housing, a means for producing a semi-vacuum in said housing and drawing undesirable gases from the inside top portion of said housing; said semi-vacuum being of such a degree as to produce a pressure just above the corresponding evaporating point or the body of liquid in the bottom of said housing, a pan having a perforated bottom and positioned in the inside top of said housing directly below the discharge end of said first mentioned pipe, and a flash coil in said pan designed to bein communication with a vapor of high temperature for raising the temperature of the liquid above that of its temperature upon entering said housing. I

3. In a device of the ciass described, a vapor condenser, a housing, a pipe having one end communicating with the space for condensate insaid condenser and its other end communicating with the inside top of said housing, a liquid outlet pipe communicating with the-inside bottom of said housing, an automatic means for maintaining a substantial volume of purified condensate in the bottom of said housing, a means for producing a semi-vacuum in said housing and drawing undesirable gases from the inside top portion of said housing; said semi-vacuum being of such a degree as to produce a pressure just above the corresponding evaporating point of the body of liquid in the bottom of said housing, a plurality of spaced apart horizontal tray members positioned in the inside top portion of said housing and directly below the discharge end of said first mentioned pipe; said trays each having periorated bottoms, and a heating element in the uppermost tray for increasing the temperature of said condensate passing through said first mentioned pipe immediately upon its entrance into the upper portion of said housing.

4. In a device of the class described, a condenser housing having a vapor inlet pipe and a condensate discharge pipe, a plurality of undistilled liquid enclosed connected passageways in said condenser housing, a means for controlling the rate of fiow of the undistilled liquid through said passageways, a deaerator housing having its inside top communicating with the discharge end of said condensate discharge pipe, a purified distilled liquid discharge pipe communicating with the inside bottom of said deaerator housing, an automatic means for maintaining a substantial amount of purified distilled liquid in the bottom portion of said deaerator housing, a vacuum pump in communication with the inside top portion of said deaerator housing for eliminating undesirable gases inside said deaerator housing and for producing a minus pressure inside said deaerator housing just above the corresponding evaporating point of the body of liquid in the bottom portion of said deaerator housing, and a means for increasing the temperature of the condensate immediately upon its entrance into said deaerator housing and before it can reach the main body of liquid in the bottom of the deaerator housing.

5. In a device of the class described, a vapor condenser, a housing, a pipe having one end communicating with the space for condensate in said condenser and its other end communicating with the inside top of said housing, a liquid outlet pipe communicating with the inside bottom of said housing, an automatic means for maintaining a substantial volume of purified condensate in the bottom of said housing, a means for producing a semi-vacuum in said housing and drawing undesirable gases from the inside top portion of said housing; said semi-vacuum being of such a degree as to produce a pressure just above the corresponding evaporating point of the body of liquid in the bottom of said housing, and a pipe inside said housing positioned in the pathway 01' the condensate entering the said housing designed to have one end incommunication with a high temperature vapor, and its other end dis- 5 charging into a liquid trap, a pipe having one end housing, a pan inside said housing having-a peri'orated bottom and positioned directly below the incoming liquid to be treated, a heating element above the perforated bottom 01' said pan for raising the temperature of the liquid upon its immediate entrance into the top of said housing, a second pan having a perforated bottom spaced apart from and positioned below said flrst-men-r tioned pan, and a third pan having a perforated bottom spaced apart from and positioned directly below said second-mentioned pan, and a means for removing liquid from the bottom ofsaid housing.

ROSS E. SKOW.

VIRG BALLOU.

HERROLD L. MCLAUGH'LIN. 

